A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON SURGICAL STIE INFECTIONS AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Wound infection is tissue invasion by micro organisms after disruption of systemic and local host de-fenses, causing lymphangitis, cellulitis, abscesses, bacteremia. Aims &objectives: This prospective study aims at estimating incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) and risk factors of SSIs in general surgical wards at a tertiary care center. Methods: Study design: Prospective study. Source of study: General Surgery Inpatients. Duration Of study: One and half year starting from December 2020 to May 2022. Number of patients:200. Inclusion criteria- Pa-tients who developed surgical site infection following either elective or non-traumatic emergency surgery. Age>18years, Patients giving informed consent. Exclusion criteria: Pregnant women, Age<18years. Results: Data were presented in the form of tables, pie charts, and bar charts of descriptive categorical variables and were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. One-way analysis of variance performed using Kruskal-Wall for comparison of microbio-logical analysis values. Conclusion: Independent risk factors which are potentially modifiable including open surgi-cal approach, contaminated wound class, and emergency surgery, need to be systematically addressed. In order to control SSI, quality surgical treatment is necessary which includes prompt patient assessment, resuscitative proce-dures, adequate patient preparation, and an aseptic atmosphere.